Governments that intend to replicate US President Trump's declaration that the issue of climate warming is a tremendous con game will be acting foolishly. Over the years, Trump has acquired a reputation of being able to build his arguments on evident falsehoods and still getting taken seriously by millions - indeed billions. So long as what he says and does affects only his country's situation perhaps there's little to comment about; though that point is debatable.
But when his arguments and policies impact in a big way on the situation and future of other countries, together with their people, these have every interest to show their disagreement and to resist his policy approaches. Indeed, their best national interest dictates they should do so.
In the efforts needed to contain climate warming, even if this will come to a head after Trump is no longer part of the scene, the countries which will be most negatively impacted by it must remain proactive. Among them, countries which will be threatened by rising sea levels. Among them, Malta.
***
PRUDENCE ON TRAFFIC ISSUES
Under the so-called road safety package, the EU (Parliament and Council of Ministers) has been concluding a new set of regulations designed inter alia to introduce common measures regarding how car drivers will need to demonstrate their driving competence and how driving licences are issued. One measure establishes the possibility for seventeen year olds to obtain a driving licence subject to their being accompanied by another licensed driver.
The Malta government (alongside that of Croatia) has opposed this measure to the end. In Malta itself this development was given minimal publicity. Which is understandable given the "pro"-youth policy that both political parties proclaim. The reasons being given by the government for its dissent are that in the concentrated spread of Malta's road network, such a meausre would serve to reduce not enhance road safety. It also goes against the government's policy to encourage young people not to invest in a car. Despite its inherent contradictions, the government's approach has been the correct one.
***
WALKING ...
We could remain on the issue of roads and traffic: In this, the truth is that the topic that gets least mentioned is pedestrian mobility. Pedestrians are the least well regarded "travellers" in Malta... much less than cyclists who complain the most about the treatment they get. Now, one would have expected that in a tiny territory like ours, walking would have been considered the most evident method for "travel" purposes internally. We still hear stories of how in the past, our grandparents used to cover "biblical" distances to go to work or visit relatives.
Today, funds are spent least on pavements. The more time passes, the more they become dangerous, from Valletta to Mellieha, from Sliema to Marsascala. The Maltese have gotten used to go everywhere by car, even round the corner of where they live to go buy a packet of cigarettes. A friend of mine said: Just forget it-Maltese people hate walking. In the past they did it because they had no other alternative.